Four religions in Korea unite for migrants

Father Simon Lee Sang-min speaks at the Solidarity of Four Religions for the Human Rights of Migrants press conference held in front of Jogye-sa Buddhist temple in Seoul on May 17. THE CATHOLIC TIMES OF KOREA

An inter-religious group in Korea has asked the new government to ensure the protection of migrants and ban racial discrimination.

Solidarity of Four Religions for the Human Rights of Migrants held a press conference on May 17 in front of Jogye-sa Buddhist temple in Seoul. Composed of Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants and Won Buddhists, they have been campaigning against racial discrimination.

“Even during the presidential election campaign, the candidates did give any attention to the two million migrants in Korea. Given that even the basic human rights of migrants are not guaranteed, we should take care of them by establishing concrete policies,” they said in a statement.

The group called on people to raise awareness of the problem, report cases of rights infringement and to pray for an improvement in the situation. “Any action based on racial discrimination should be banned and punished,” they added.

Father Simon Lee Sang-min, secretary of the bishops’ Committee for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Foreign Residents Living in Korea said, “Most migrants left their native countries due to external pressure and not because they chose to. The new government should introduce policies to safeguard their basic rights.”